Link to Radio Heritage Foundation - radioheritage.net

The Co-operative Global Radio Memories Project


The main website of the Radio Heritage Foundation is now


https://www.radioheritage.com


Most content on this legacy website is no longer actively maintained and may no longer be accurate or up-to-date. It is preserved on-line purely for historical interest as part of the Radio Heritage Foundation’s digital collection.


3XY Melbourne,
Efftee Broadcasters Pty Ltd
For Live Artist Productions

image of 3XY Melbourne promotion 1939

3XY Melbourne promotion to advertisers in 1939
© Radio Heritage Foundation Collection

3XY operated by Efftee Broadcasters Pty. Ltd., was founded by the late F. W. Thring, well known in Australian theatrical and film circles. It began operations on September 8th, 1935.

3XY is a completely self-contained unit, with offices, studios and transmitter all in the Princess Theatre Building, Spring Street, Melbourne, C.1. The station operates on 1420 kilocycles (211 metres) with a power of 600 watts. Hours of operation are 6.30 a.m. To 11.30 p.m. Daily; 8.00 a.m. To 10.30 p.m. Sundays.

DRAMATIC PRODUCTIONS

A feature of 3XY ever since its inception has been concentration on live-artist productions for direct broadcasting and for recording for future use and for distribution. The station maintains its own production department, and has been responsible for many feature presentations of celebrated stories in radio form. These productions, on process discs, have been used by radio stations in all States of the Commonwealth. Necessarily curtailed during the war, this aspect of 3XY activities has been expanded recently, and a number of productions has been made and distributed on a Commonwealth-wide basis. The station also maintains its own independent news department, staffed by journalists of note, who cover overseas and local news and broadcast at regular hours, in addition to hourly "news-on-the-hour'' flashes.
image of 3XY QSL 1945

3XY Melbourne issued this colorful listener confirmation card in 1945
© Keith Robinson Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation


Directors: V.G.H. Harrison, Mrs. O. Thring, L. Shepherd. General Manager: F. R. Mogg. Sales Manager: Stan Thomas. Studio Manager: Alwyn Kurts. Chief Engineer: L. Shepherd.

SOME 3XY PERSONALITIES

ALWYN KURTS
Studio Manager and Chief Announcer. Began his radio career in Western Australia, moving to 3XY in 1941, where he soon made his mark as announcer and compere. Mr Kurts is noted in the latter sphere as an extempore broadcaster of brilliance. He made radio history in 1943 when he flew to battle areas in New Guinea and brought back recorded messages from troops. These were broadcast to parents and friends and the radio audience at large. Since then he has made actuality broadcasts from battle areas in the Solomons, the Philippines and Burma.

RAY CHAPMAN
Popular young announcer and compere, who joined 3XY staff in 1943. Handles many feature sessions; was chosen in 1944 as most popular station personality in Melbourne's "Listener In'' contest. His hobbies are singing and sports, including tennis, cricket and swimming.

image of 3XY glass cinema slide 1935

This colorful glass cinema slide announced the arrival of 3XY Melbourne in 1935
© Chris Keating Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation

ALEX McNISH
One of 3XY's most popular personalities. Alex McNish has a ringing voice of great clarity. Born in Bristol, England, in 1914, he began at 3XY as breakfast announcer in 1943, later transferring to night sessions. Alex comperes stage presentations and features, but enjoys best his session as news reader. His hobbies are gardening, economics, history and swimming. He is married, with two children.

CARL BLEAZBY
Born in February, 1916, Carl Bleazby was educated at Melbourne Grammar School. He studied drama and voice production, and played with the Gregan McMahon Players in 1936. He joined the staff of 3XY in March 1937, and was one of the first of Melbourne's radio men to enlist on the outbreak of war in 1939. Joining up as a private, Carl was demobilised in August, 1945, with the rank of captain and returned to announcing at 3XY. While in Palestine with the A.I.F., Carl was appointed by Gen. Sir Thomas Blamey as A.I.F. Radio Reporter, in which capacity he broadcast from Jerusalem Radio for eight months.

TOM JONES
Born in 1917, and educated at Sydney High School. Early work in films and stage brought him to radio, in which he began his career as an A.B.C. Player. He then served in country stations in N.S.W., handling breakfast sessions, children's programmes and outside broadcasts. Joining 3XY in 1945, he soon became Uncle Tom to 20,000 "Peters Pals.'' Tom has compered outside productions and live-artist shows. He also writes and produce many 3XY afternoon features, in which he often acts many parts.
image of 3XY glass cinema Stage-Radio Feature

Glass cinema slide announced 3XY Melbourne Stage-Radio Feature
© Chris Keating Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation


TOM MILLER
Joined 3XY on its inception in 1935, and assisted with the development of the station. He rose from his original position as record boy to become one of 3XY's popular night announcers, and was a featured player in many dramatic productions. He enlisted early in the war, and was discharged with the rank of Lieutenant in 1946, rejoining 3XY's announcing staff.

BERN DAVIS
3XY's popular early morning announcer. Bern instituted and conducts the popular morning "Music for Mother" programme, as well as presenting other features of his own during weekly programmes. He came to 3XY after experience in country radio, following three years of Army service, in 1944.

ROY STEYNE
Producer; began his career with J. C. Williamson Ltd., working up to the position of stage director. He joined the late F. W. Thring's "Eftee'' film productions as casting manager, and came to 3XY on its inception. Later he left to undertake private business, and joined up with the Army during the war, becoming producer of the 7th Division concert party, with which he presented shows in New Guinea and in northern areas. He rejoined 3XY as producer early in 1946.

WOMEN'S SESSIONS A FEATURE

DOROTHY WILBY
In charge of 3XY sessions for women, was born in Harrowgate, Yorkshire, England, and came to Australia with her parents in 1922. She was educated at the Abbey School, Melrose, Scotland, and Morongo College, Geelong. After trips abroad, she began her radio experience with country stations in Victoria and New South Wales, and enlisted for war work on the outbreak of hostilities, becoming assistant-controller of V.A.D. personnel for N.S.W., holding the rank of commander. Known on the air as 'Dorothy'' she came to 3XY during 1945, and is a popular broadcaster and worker for charity.
image of 3XY glass cinema Stage-Radio Feature

Glass cinema slide announced 3XY Melbourne Stage-Radio Feature
© Chris Keating Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation

Australian Radio History

Now available as a free eBook!



3XY Melbourne, Efftee Broadcasters Pty Ltd - For Live Artist Productions, 'Broadcast Year Book and Radio Listeners' Annual of Australia 1946-47.
Editor: C C Faulkner.
© Ray Crawford Collection, Radio Heritage Foundation.

Digital version of text, images and layout © Radio Heritage Foundation 2009.








This content is made possible thanks to:

This content is not made possible by anyone.

I'm embarrassed to be here. I'm waiting for the state radio sponsor to arrive. He's late. Please just ask me to go away. I'm cheap.

^Top


Radio Heritage Foundation projects and activities connect radio, popular culture, history and heritage.

The charitable trust has been giving a voice to those involved in radio via our website since 2004 and will continue to do so.

We are inclusive of all visitors, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or disability and aim to connect people of all ages and cultures who love radio

We welcome a sense of wonder from the joy of listening via radio, and from memories retold for the enjoyment of all generations.

We prefer to use environmentally sustainable goods and services where we can afford to, and we provide free community access worldwide to our collections, published research, preservation and promotion activities in a completely paper-free environment.

© Radio Heritage Foundation 2004 - 2024

Email us